E55K... Japanese import.

[John]

Yes I am very tempted but no I won't be buying it...

But apart from the clocks, is there any reason why a Jap import would be a PITA or should it be fine?

Not a huge fan of white but I quite like it I suppose:

2005 Mercedes-Benz W211 E55 AMG,24,887 miles For Sale | Car And Classic

 

[Teego]

There used to be a huge grey import market for Japanese motorcycles. This was mainly down to dracionian Jap MOT tests, overpriced legit bikes and our natural desire not to be ripped off.

This seems to have gone through these tests and looks very tidy if a little pricey.

 

[Doodle]

It will limit the number of insurers who would cover it.

 

[Abb]

Don't see why it would be any more of a PITA tbh John. My nephew bought a Skyline R32 last year through a specialist broker here in the UK from Japan and has had zero issues with it.

A member on here bought imported a C55 from Japan earlier this year or last year IIRC, and had to make some changes to for it work for him, here in the UK, but don't seem to recall any horror stories about it.

 

[John]

I know it sounds like I am considering it but honestly I am not...

It's way too expensive even though it looks in good shape from the pictures and is obviously (apparently) low mileage.

I'm just curious as to the proposition.

 

[Doodle]

As Abb says, it's not likely to be difficult - while there will be minor detail differences (such as the radio frequencies being out of band on the COMAND) it's largely the same car that was sold here.

It's when you get the vehicles that weren't sold here that parts backup requires a little more thought. When I needed a new windscreen for my Integra, I ended up sourcing it through my own contacts at Honda on behalf of my insurance company.

 

[Alex]

“Very” tempted eh? Well it’s certainly an improvement from “just tempted” we’ve heard before. Think you’ve paced yourself enough by now J - get back in it and live for a while, you 40-something pensioner you!

 

[SmartAmg]

That does look very nice, never seen one in white, it suits it.

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Don't most Japanese market cars have an almost complete lack of rusting proofing / underseal?
Or is that just some manufacturers like Mazda, particularly the mark 2 NB model

 

[aj_clc]

models made for/in Europe would have same for export to Jap market.

 

[John]

I've heard my old one could be for sale in the not-too-distant future.

I've asked the current owner to let me know before selling.

I'm not interested though...

 

[Steveml63]

Hi,
Had a Japanese import Subaru Impreza WRX around 16 years ago.
Only two major problems were the top speed limiter (112mph) and the smell of a heavy smoker in the car.
It took ages to clean the headlining and interior to get rid of the nicotine stains and smell of smoke.
Never bothered to remove speed limiter - license protection strategy!
Cheers
Steve

 

[Alfie]

I can assure you that it IS a right PITA to convert a Japanese imported Mercedes to work properly in terms of audio and Navigation.

there are two issues;

1). Up until recently all Japanese market Mercedes cars were wired totally differently to the rest of the world. I mean significantly. the audio units have completely different connections on them.

2). The head unit itself is different hardware.

On a W211 the wiring will be very very different. Unless you are confident in rewiring all the audio, power, antennas, wakeup etc then leave it. In many cases its cheaper to buy a different car.

 

[BUG4LIFE]

That company may [although I'm not sure] be linked to Newera Imports, who have been importing Jap cars for many many years.

I very much imagine that E55 will be good to drive away right away, with all the clocks etc sorted out.

As mentioned above, it'll be the auto/nav that'll be the problem. timk on here imported a C55 but didn't get around to changing all the audio before he sold it, but he'll have more info as I believe he did a bit of research.

This chap has sorted it - Mercedes C55 AMG Estate (S203) - Only 46000 miles [just realised this has dropped from £14k, very tempting].

My current car is a JDM Subaru Forester STi and the first owner replaced the head-unit etc for Apple CarPlay - works great. Can a Merc really be super difficult if handled by an audio shop?

 

[Ifzal123]

High Quality Japanese Used Cars For Sale | SBT Japan


I've considered importing a vehicle recently. Its not too difficult to convert vehicle to UK Roads. You have to seal the underbody, sort the lights and do something with the CAT and speedometer. I'm fairly sure a good audio specialist can change the language or install a new unit. MY GL has the option to change the language. The import may have this option.

 

[simon1966]

I can assure you that it IS a right PITA to convert a Japanese imported Mercedes to work properly in terms of audio and Navigation.

there are two issues;

1). Up until recently all Japanese market Mercedes cars were wired totally differently to the rest of the world. I mean significantly. the audio units have completely different connections on them.

2). The head unit itself is different hardware.

On a W211 the wiring will be very very different. Unless you are confident in rewiring all the audio, power, antennas, wakeup etc then leave it. In many cases its cheaper to buy a different car.

That's good to know. Audio is very important in a car and if its as difficult as you say then it would definitely make me think twice about a Japanese imported MB. If and when I sell my E55K I was considering a Japanese C36. Would that be difficult to convert or easier as the audio is not so complex as that on a 211 for example?

 

[horatio]

That company may [although I'm not sure] be linked to Newera Imports, who have been importing Jap cars for many many years.

I very much imagine that E55 will be good to drive away right away, with all the clocks etc sorted out.

As mentioned above, it'll be the auto/nav that'll be the problem. timk on here imported a C55 but didn't get around to changing all the audio before he sold it, but he'll have more info as I believe he did a bit of research.

This chap has sorted it - Mercedes C55 AMG Estate (S203) - Only 46000 miles [just realised this has dropped from £14k, very tempting].

My current car is a JDM Subaru Forester STi and the first owner replaced the head-unit etc for Apple CarPlay - works great. Can a Merc really be super difficult if handled by an audio shop?

That C55 is listed on eBay now. Looks to be in beautiful condition.

 

[BUG4LIFE]

Just a thought [and I'm guessing the answer is no as it hasn't been mentioned] but would an Merc from Japan have to be mapped for UK fuel?

My Foz STi had to be, but that is obviously a car built in Japan for the Japan market only.

 

[Flyinspanner]

It says in the advert that it has had a double DIN Panasonic hifi system fitted, so I’m assuming the Comand has already gone, and fitting a UK compatable head unit may thus be much easier.

it may still be prudent to get a rustproofing treatment inc cavities etc. Its certainly true that JDM Japanese cars are not rust protected to the same level as export market cars (as they don’t salt roads- much kinder to cars) I don’t know if MB cars exported to Japan would also have a lower level of rustproofing.

 

[aj_clc]

i dont have much against Jap imports as i had one myself for over 3 years, but there seems to be a lot of sellers who only seem to have the car for a year and the flick it on - is it something to do with the DVLA "traders" rules that if you roll on so many cars a year your a "trader" ?
Thats C55 above looks amazing for the money (apart from the yellow callipers!)